Flu Phobia: All alert, no panic at IT

PUNE, INDIA: Influenza H1N1 (Swine Flu) is eliciting its own mixed bag of responses and measures from the IT engines in Pune, now highlighted all over as the most-impacted region in India.

The scope of the pandemic’s impact and Industry’s response mechanism covers not only awareness and precautionary advisories but also travel-related actions and an emphasis to avert panic-building.

Travel impact

An IT majors specializing in automotive with a people strength of about 4800 employees is making sure that people returning from a foreign travel stay at home for about three to five days and return only with a medical certificate. There is no embargo on travel, however, yet.

Even otherwise, any employee doubtful of Flu symptoms has been given open instructions to stay at home.

Cognizant has advised its associates to defer travel in case they develop cold, cough and fever on the day of travel, as passenger screening at various airports may affect their travel schedules. They have also been advised to check with customer teams for local updates before undertaking or deferring travel to affected destinations.

“In general, we have advised our associates to undertake only essential travel and defer all other types of travel to locations worldwide affected by swine flu,” tells a spokesperson.

Zensar too has issued an advisory to all associates across the globe on measures that one should take to prevent themselves from the disease. It has issued a travel advisory to associates across the globe and also requested all associates to undergo a medical check up once they are back from the affected areas.

Alert enough but not panicky

Advisories have been issues about precautions, government instructions, personal hygiene, and the company is constantly sharing emergency numbers, medical numbers, screening center details with their employees.

“While senior management is constantly in talks about the situation, we are also focusing on ensuring that needless panic does not happen. Along with posters on various awareness areas, to make sure that sensitivity to the situation remains, we also do not want to create panic, for instance, by asking everyone to wear masks etc.” shared a company spokesperson of the IT automotive major.

Zensar shares, “We have also sent across mailers to our associates on Influenza H1N1 and ways to deal with the disease. We have conveyed information regarding its symptoms, precautions one should take and essential phone numbers one can contact of more details. Our on-campus doctor can help in diagnosis and is equipped with preventive masks. We have facilitated the availability of these masks on our campus.”

While we are taking all possible measures to curb the spread of the disease, the organization is constantly reiterating the message that one should not panic unnecessarily and should not throng government hospitals unnecessarily, Zensar adds.

Another IT major Cognizant is also dealing with H1N1 situation and efforts are on to create awareness and ensure protection.

“For educating our employees and creating awareness, we are conducting sessions on proactive precautions and available treatment for H1N1 Flu and answering employee questions. We have created a dedicated section on our corporate intranet with all relevant information about the epidemic and known safeguards against it.” Says a Cognizant spokesperson

Impact on work

The Flu has not affected Zensar operations yet and the company does not have any immediate plans of asking people to work from home.

But it is asking associates who have cold and cough and are showing the slightest of symptoms to work from home. Associates who are unwell are expected to stay at home in any case are asked to take all possible measures to curb the spread of the disease.

Talking about productivity impact, Zensar shares that it has not seen increased absenteeism, fear or undue panic amongst its associates and it is taking appropriate measures to tackle the situation.

Other measures on campus-wide precautions are going on in parallel.

Cognizant has circulated details about the hospitals across locations that have been authorized by the government for carrying out the necessary tests and treatment of the influenza. It has set up a toll free number to support employees and their family members. This number is staffed 24/7 and supported by qualified physicians and doctors.

At Zensar for instance, caterers have been given preventive masks and have been instructed to wear them while serving and cooking food. So is the case with support Staff that has been given masks and is instructed to wear them at all times.

“House Keeping staff has been instructed to clean toilets more frequently with Dettol and other disinfectants. Hand towels have been removed from all locations and associates are requested to make use of the hand dryers. All kitchen and support staff have been briefed. Awareness write-ups in Hindi and Marathi have also been put up for them.”

The company has approached Food Labs and has taken their feedback on the situation and the Lab has confirmed that the Flu cannot be transferred through food. Food waste is being removed immediately from the site after Lunch / Dinner in closed garbage bags.

In short, the belts are tightened well, in a belt that has been known for IT and is now in news for Flu.